Distributed processing unit

ABSTRACT

A distributed processing unit which permits easy modification of set data that has been written in a memory (19) of a coin mechanism (1) which constitutes a processor without the use of special terminals. When set data settings stored in the memory (19) of the coin mechanism (1) are to be modified, the coin mechanism (1) is disconnected from a signal line (8) from an automatic vending machine controller (2) at a connector (9), and a computer (50) is connected to the connector (9). In this state, the program routine of a CPU (11) in the coin mechanism (1) is modified by special instructions transmitted from the computer (50), thus permitting the contents of the memory (19) of the coin mechanism (1) to be read out by the computer (50) and the set data in the memory (19) to be rewritten by operation of the CPU (11).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a distributed processing unitcomprising at least one processor connected to a main controller througha signal line, and more particularly to a distributed processing unitdesigned so that set data stored in a memory of each processor can beread from and written to externally, thus facilitating modification ofset data in each processor.

BACKGROUND ART

Distributed processing units recently proposed for use in automaticvending machines and the like include those comprising functionaldevices, for example, coin mechanisms which incorporate coin selectors,bill discriminators, card reader/writers, article conveyers, paneldisplay units, and the like, which are connected in a distributedconfiguration to a main controller through a signal line.

In automatic vending machines and the like configured as distributedprocessing units of this type, the various functional devicescommunicate with the main controller through a signal line and performtheir respective function processes.

For example, in a coin selector, data pertaining to permissible valuesfor use in discriminating among coins, that is, upper limit values andlower limit values which define a permissible level range for each coin,is pre-stored in a memory as set data. The characteristics of insertedcoins are measured by a measurement sensor, and the signals obtainedthereby are compared with the set data stored in the memory in order todetermine the validity and denomination of the inserted coins.

In a bill discriminator, data pertaining to permissible values for usein discriminating between bills, that is, upper limit values and lowerlimit values which define permissible level ranges for the plurality ofmeasurement points on each bill, is pre-stored in a memory as set data,the characteristics of inserted bills at each measurement point aremeasured by a measurement sensor, and the signals obtained thereby arecompared with the set data stored in the memory in order to determinethe validity and denomination of the inserted bills.

In a card reader/writer, identification data for identifying cards ispre-stored in a memory as set data, the characteristics of theidentification data of'an inserted card are measured by a measurementsensor, and the signals obtained thereby are compared with the set datastored in the memory in order to determine the validity and denominationof the inserted coins.

In conventional distributed processing units of this type, set data tobe stored in a memory is specified in advance and the set data iswritten into a memory (ROM) using a ROM writer or the like. This ROM isinstalled in the coin selector, bill discriminator, card reader/writer,and the like so as to be installed in each functional device.

However, with the foregoing configuration, it is not possible to specifyset data adapted to variations in measurement sensors and othercomponents of individual functional devices.

Also, designs for a coin selector in which a dedicated terminal forconnection with a computer is provided, the computer is connected tothis terminal so that measured values of coin characteristics arecollected by the computer, permissible values for coin selection (upperlimits and lower limits which define permissible ranges for valid coins)are calculated from the collected and measured values of the coincharacteristics, the permissible values for coin selection are writteninto ROM using a ROM writer., and the ROM to which the permissiblevalues for coin selection have been written is installed in the coinselector have been proposed, for example in Japanese Laid-Open PatentApplication 5-233914, but such designs require the provision of aspecial dedicated terminal for connection with the computer and of a ROMwriter for writing the permissible values for coin selection which havebeen calculated by the computer to the ROM.

An object of the present invention is to provide a distributedprocessing unit which permits easy modification of set data that hasbeen written to the memory of each processor without the use of specialterminals.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, this invention is adistributed processing unit comprising at least one processor connectedin a distributed configuration to a main controller through a signalline so that the processor communicates with the main controller throughthe signal line to perform specified processes, wherein the processorcomprises a memory for storing set data for performing specifiedprocesses, a control unit for performing specified processes on thebasis of the set data stored in the memory, and a connector forselectively connecting the control unit to the signal line or toexternal data processing means, and wherein the control unit comprisescontrol means for communicating with the external data processing meansaccording to special instructions sent from the external data processingmeans through the connector, and for rewriting the set data in thememory in response to a data write request from the external dataprocessing means when the external data processing means is connected tothe connector.

The present invention employs a connector for connecting the controlunit of each processor to a signal line from the main controller so thatsettings in the set data that has been written to the memory of eachprocessor can be modified.

This configuration makes it possible to modify settings in set datawritten to the memory of each processor without providing specialterminals to each processor.

In addition, modification of settings in the set data written to amemory is performed by the control unit of each processor, thusobviating the need for a ROM writer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a connection diagram depicting connection of a computer to acoin mechanism of an automatic vending machine in an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the overall configuration of anautomatic vending machine in which the invention is implemented;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting details of the configuration of thecoin mechanism depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart which explains the operation of the coinmechanism depicted in FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the distributed processing unit which pertains to thisinvention will be described in detail below with reference to theappended drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts connection of a computer 50 to a coin mechanism 1 of anautomatic vending machine which has been configured implementing thedistributed processing unit of this invention. FIG. 2 depicts theoverall configuration of an automatic vending machine which has beenconfigured implementing the distributed processing unit of thisinvention.

In FIG. 2, the automatic vending machine is configured as a distributedprocessing unit wherein various processor-equipped functional devicessuch as a coin mechanism 1, a bill selector 3, a card reader/writer 4, aarticle conveyer 5, a panel display unit 6 are connected in adistributed configuration to an automatic vending machine controller 2which is a main controller through a main signal line 8.

In this automatic vending machine, the functions of the individualprocessors, that is, the coin mechanism 1, the bill discriminator 3, thecard reader/writer 4, the article conveyer 5, and the panel display unit6, are activated in response to control signals from the automaticvending machine controller 2, and the responses produced as a resultthereof are returned to the automatic vending machine controller 2 asnecessary, so as to perform the functions of the automatic vendingmachine.

The individual processors, that is, the coin mechanism 1, the billdiscriminator 3, the card reader/writer 4, the article conveyer 5, andthe panel display unit 6, are each connected to the signal line 8through switchable connectors 9.

For example, the coin mechanism 1 is provided with a coin selector 1-1for selecting among inserted coins, and this coin mechanism 1 isconnected to the signal line 8 from the automatic vending machinecontroller 2 through an a device signal line 16 and a connector 9.

When set data stored in the memory of the coin mechanism 1 is to beoverwritten, the signal line 8 is disconnected from the connector 9 anda computer 50 is connected to the connector 9 through a signal interface40, as shown in FIG. 1, so that the set data stored in the memory of thecoin mechanism 1 can be overwritten under the control of the computer50.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting details of the configuration of thecoin mechanism 1.

In FIG. 3, the coin mechanism 1 is provided with selection sensors 13-1and 13-2 for selecting among inserted coins, each of which is providedwith a transmission coil and a reception coil. The transmission coils ofthe selection sensors 13-1 and 13-2 are connected to an oscillator 12,and the reception coils of the selection sensors 13-1 and 13-2 areconnected to detectors 14-1 and 14-2.

When a coin passes between the transmission coils and the receptioncoils of the selection sensors 13-1 and 13-2, a mutual inductancebetween the coils changes depending on the material of the coin wherebythe, voltage induced in the reception coils of the selection sensors13-1 and 13-2 changes.

The detectors 14-1 and 14-2 detect the change in the voltage and input ameasured value for the coin to an A/D conversion port 11-1 of thecentral processing unit (CPU) 11 which constitutes the control unit.

The CPU 11 compares the measured value with the upper limit values andlower limit values stored in an external memory 19 that definepermissible level ranges for coins, and determines that the coin isvalid if the measured value falls between the upper limit values andlower limit values.

Upper limit values and lower limit values are set with reference to eachdenomination, and the CPU 11 compares the measured value with thesedenomination-specific upper limit values and lower limit values todetermine the validity and denomination of the inserted coins. A sortinggate driver 20 is operated in accordance with a result of thedetermination so that coins determined to be valid are sorted bydenomination into coin tubes or a safe (not shown), and so that falsecoins are returned.

When the coins have been sorted, the CPU 11 computes the inserted amountfrom the coin denominations and the number of coins inserted andnotifies the automatic vending machine controller 2 of the result,whereupon the article conveyer 5 shown in FIG. 2 is controlled byinstructions from the automatic vending machine controller 2 so that thearticle is dispensed and, if change is to be returned, a change pay-outunit driver 17 is operated so that change is paid out from the cointubes.

The CPU 11 also controls the discharge of valid coins of a givendenomination to the safe when an in-tube coin detector 18 has detectedthat a coin tube is full.

The CPU 11 also controls to display an"out of change" message asnecessary if the in-tube coin detector 18 detects that a coin tube isempty.

The reference numeral 11-2 indicates an internal memory providedinternally to the CPU 11.

In the foregoing description, the use of changes in the mutualinductance between the coils of the selection sensors 13-1 and 13-2 wasdescribed, but a configuration in which changes in a capacitance or thelike, or in which a combination of a plurality of sensors which operateon different principles is employed, could be used to improvereliability.

In this embodiment, the CPU 11 of the coin mechanism 1 is connected tothe connector 9 through a communications means comprising an externalconnection circuit 15 and an external connection signal line 16; duringnormal operation, the connector 9 is connected to the signal line 8 fromthe automatic vending machine controller 2.

When the set data stored in the external memory 19 of the coin mechanism1 is to be overwritten, the signal line 8 is disconnected from theconnector 9 and a computer 50 is connected to the connector 9 through asignal interface 40, as shown in FIG. 1, so that the set data stored inthe memory of the coin mechanism can be overwritten under the control ofthe computer 50.

Specifically, when the signal line 8 is disconnected from the connector9 and the computer 50 is connected to the connector 9 through the signalinterface 40, as shown in FIG. 1, special instructions (specialcommands) not used in normal operation can be transmitted from thecomputer 50; the CPU 11 software enables data exchange with the computer50 when the CPU 11 of the coin mechanism 1 receives the specialinstructions.

It is possible to use another control device (dedicated externalinput/output means) that performs operations like those of the computer50 in place of the computer 50 in this process.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting the operation of the CPU 11 of the coinmechanism 1. In the normal coin processing routine 100, the CPU 11 ofthe coin mechanism 1 executes a coin selection process routine 101 fordiscriminating among inserted coins, a coin pay-out process routine 102for paying out change, and a communication routine 103 with theautomatic vending machine controller 2, in this order.

In an update inquiry routine 104, CPU 11 interrogates automatic vendingmachine controller 103 to determine whether an update command has beenreceived. If not, the operation returns to the beginning of the normalcoin processing routine 100.

If the CPU 11 of the coin mechanism 1 detects controller 2 has receivedan update command, as noted above, operation of the device proceednormally but with modifications, making communication with computer 50possible.

Specifically, when the special command is detected in step 104, acomputer connection routine 200 is initiated, and a coin selectionprocess routine 105, a coin pay-out process routine 106, and acommunication routine 107 comparable to those in the normal routine 100are executed, except that communication is made with computer 50 ratherthan control unit 2. In communication routine 107, CPU 11 nowcommunicates with computer 50 and executes a data transmission requestroutine 108 and a memory write request routine 110.

When a data transmission request is received from the computer 50, atransmission process routine 109 for transmitting the requested data isexecuted; when a memory write request is received (110), a memory writeprocess routine 111 is executed.

The data trans mission process routine 109 includes a process wherebythe contents of memory at addresses specified by the computer 50 aretransmitted from the coin mechanism 1, and a process wherebypredetermined data are transmitted to the coin mechanism 1 oninstructions from the computer 50.

The memory write process routine 111 includes a process whereby datatransmitted by the computer 50 is written at the coin mechanism 1 sideto the memory 19 at addresses transmitted from the computer 50, and aprocess whereby predetermined data transmitted by the computer 50 isstored at the coin mechanism 1 side in determined memory addresses. Forexample, the CPU 11 of the coin mechanism 1 transmits to the computer 50measured values (from each of the selection sensors 13-1 and 13-2) forthe plurality of valid coins which have been inserted; the computer 50then processes these measured values separately for each of theselection sensors 13-1 and 13-2 and computes, from standarddistributions of these measured values, upper limit values and lowerlimit values which define permissible level ranges for each coin.

The foregoing process is conducted with inserted coins of differentdenominations to determine upper limit values and lower limit valueswhich define permissible level ranges for coins of differentdenominations.

The upper limit values and lower limit values which define permissiblelevel ranges for coins, which have been determined by the computer 50,are then transmitted from the computer 50 to the coin mechanism 1, andthe coin mechanism 1 writes these values as set data into the externalmemory 19 under the control of the CPU 11.

The coin mechanism 1 subsequently determines the denomination andvalidity of inserted coins based on the set data which has been writtento the external memory 19.

By means of this configuration, no special signal terminal is requiredfor writing set data to the external memory 19, and the need for adedicated writer for writing to the memory 19 is obviated. In addition,measured data for a coin can b e collected simply by inserting the coin,as long as the coin can be accepted mechanically, so it is possible tomodify denominations of acceptable coins.

In the foregoing description, the case of overwriting set data in theexternal memory 19 of the coin mechanism 1 was described; the presentinvention may be implemented similarly in the case of the billdiscriminator 3 and the card reader/writer 4.

In the case of the bill discriminator 3, measured values for a pluralityof measurement points on an inserted bill for each selection sensor aretransmitted to the computer 50, the data from each of the selectionsensors is processed by the computer 50, permissible ranges for measuredvalues are computed from normal distributions of these measured values,and upper limit values and lower limit values of these permissibleranges are determined for each selection sensor.

The foregoing process is conducted with different inserted bills todetermine upper limit values and lower limit values which definepermissible level ranges for bills of different denominations for eachselection sensor.

The upper limit values and lower limit values of permissible levelranges for bills of different denominations which have been determinedby the computer 50 are transmitted from the computer to the billdiscriminator 3, and the bill discriminator 3 itself writes the data toa memory (not shown) of the bill discriminator 3.

Thus, the bill discriminator 3 subsequently treats an inserted bill asgenuine when selection data for the bill falls within the permissiblerange for selection data which has been written in the memory, andtreats it as counterfeit when the data does not fall within thepermissible range.

In the case of the card reader/writer 4, the write process by thecomputer 50 is used for writing to a memory of the card reader/writer 4data such as card ID, customer code, and other identification data whichis written on the card itself.

The card reader/writer 4 subsequently determines the validity of aninserted card on the basis of the data which has been written to thememory.

With this method, it becomes unnecessary to produce memories withdifferent memory contents for different cards, so a single device can beadapted to any particular acceptable card.

In addition, in the case of change of acceptable cards, it is notnecessary to disassemble the device, so it can be adapted quickly tosuch modifications.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to this invention, in a distributed processing unit comprisingat least one processor. connected in a distributed configuration to amain controller through a signal line so that the processors communicatewith the main controller through the signal line to perform specifiedprocesses, a control unit of each processor is configured such thatsettings of set data which has been written to the memories of theprocessors can be modified using connectors which connect to the signalline coming from the main controller, thereby permitting modification ofthe set data which has been written to the memories of the processorswithout the need to provide each processor with a special terminal. Inaddition, modification of set data which has been written to thememories is performed by the control unit of each processor, obviatingthe need for a ROM writer or the like.

We claim:
 1. A distributed processing unit having at least onefunctional device to perform a device-specific process, a maincontroller to issue control signals to each said functional device andreceive responses therefrom and a main signal line connecting each saidfunctional device in a distributed configuration with the maincontroller for communication of the control signals and responses,wherein each said functional device comprises:a) a read-write memory forstoring set data used in performing the device-specific process; b) adevice data processor having a control program to control performance ofthe device-specific process using the stored set data; c) a switchableconnector for selectively connecting the functional device to the mainsignal line or to an external computer, whereby the functional device isdisconnected from the main signal line when connected to the externalcomputer; and d) communication means for the functional device tocommunicate with the external computer when connected therewith;whereinthe switchable connector is switched to connect with the externalcomputer in response to a control signal received by the functionaldevice from the main controller and wherein the control program providesdirect memory write access to the external computer to enable theexternal computer to rewrite the set data in the functional device'sread-write memory.
 2. A distributed processing unit as defined in claim1, wherein the functional device is a coin selector and the set datastored in the respective memory is permissible value data for use incoin discrimination.
 3. A distributed processing unit as defined inclaim 1, wherein the functional device is a bill discriminator and theset data stored in the respective memory is permissible value data foruse in bill discrimination.
 4. A distributed processing unit as definedin claim 1, wherein the functional device is a card reader-writer andthe set data stored in the respective memory is identification data foridentifying cards.
 5. A distributed processing unit as defined in claim1, wherein the functional device comprises:transmission means fortransmitting requested data to the external computer in response to arequest for data transmission from the external computer, and whereinthe external computer comprises processing means for processing thespecified data transmitted from the main controller and creating the setdata in the respective memory.
 6. A distributed processing unit asdefined in claim 9, wherein the functional device is a coin selector,the transmission means transmits detected data for a plurality of validcoins to the external computer, and the external computer createspermissible value data for discriminating among coins from normaldistributions of the detected data of the plurality of valid coins.
 7. Adistributed processing unit as defined in claim 9, wherein thefunctional device is a bill discriminator, the transmission meanstransmits detected data of a plurality of valid bills to the externalcomputer, and the external computer creates permissible value data fordiscriminating among bills from normal distributions of the detecteddata of the plurality of valid bills.
 8. A distributed processing unitfor an automatic vending machine, the unit having:multiple functionaldevices to perform a respective one of multiple device-specificprocesses for operation of the vending machine, the device-specificprocesses including currency discrimination and article conveying; amain controller to issue control signals to each said functional deviceand receive responses therefrom; and a main signal line connecting eachsaid functional device in a distributed configuration with the maincontroller for communication of the control signals andresponses;wherein each said functional device comprises: a) a read-writememory for storing set data used in performing the device-specificprocess; b) a device data processor having a control program to controlperformance of the device-specific process using the stored set data; c)a switchable connector for selectively connecting the functional deviceto the main signal line or to an external computer, whereby thefunctional device is disconnected from the main signal line whenconnected to the external computer; and d) communication means for thefunctional device to communicate with the external computer whenconnected therewith;wherein the switchable connector is switched toconnect with the external computer in response to a control signalreceived by the functional device from the main controller and whereinthe control program provides direct memory write access to the externalcomputer to enable the external computer to rewrite the set data in thefunctional device's read-write memory.
 9. A distributed processing unitaccording to claim 8 wherein the currency discrimination functionaldevice collects and stores sensed data on currency inserted into thevending machine, said read-write memory includes storage areas for saidsensed data and wherein the currency discrimination functional devicecan be updated with new set data processed from the sensed data storedby the functional device, the new set data being generated by theexternal computer, when the currency discrimination functional device isconnected with the external computer.
 10. A distributed processing unitaccording to claim 8 wherein the at least one functional devicecomprises a coin-discriminating device, a bill discriminating device, acard reader-writer device and an article-conveyor device.
 11. Adistributed processing unit according to claim 8 wherein the functionaldevice control program includes a step of communicating with the maincontroller to determine whether the main controller has received anupdate request from the external computer for the functional device andwherein the switchable connector is switched to connect the functionaldevice with the external computer in response to detection of the updaterequest.
 12. A distributed processing unit according to claim 11 whereinthe external computer posts an update request for a specific functionaldevice with the main controller.
 13. A distributed processing unitaccording to claim 9 wherein the functional device control programfurther includes a step of communicating with the external computer andexecuting a data transmission process or a memory write process underthe control of the external computer.
 14. A distributed processing unitaccording to claim 13 wherein the data transmission process comprisesdownloading prespecified memory address contents containing sensedcurrency variability parameters to the external computer.
 15. Adistributed processing unit for an automatic vending machine, the unithaving:multiple functional devices to perform a respective one ofmultiple device-specific functional processes for operation of thevending machine, the device-specific functional processes includingcurrency discrimination and article conveying whereby the devicescomprise a currency discrimination device and an article conveyingdevice, each functional device using device-specific set data; a maincontroller to issue control signals to each said functional device andreceive responses therefrom; a main signal line connecting each saidfunctional device in a distributed configuration with the maincontroller for communication of the control signals and responsesbetween the main controller and the functional devices; andcommunication means enabling each functional device to communicate withan external computer;wherein each said functional device comprises: a) aread-write memory for storing the set data used in performing thedevice-specific process; and b) a device data processor having a controlprogram to control performance of the device-specific process using thestored set data in response to the control signals received from themain controller and to generate the responses received by the maincontroller;and wherein the currency discrimination functional devicecollects and stores sensed data on currency inserted into the vendingmachine, said read-write memory includes storage areas for said senseddata and wherein the currency discrimination functional device can beupdated with new set data processed from the sensed data stored by thefunctional device, the new set data being generated by the externalcomputer, when the currency discrimination functional device isconnected with the external computer.
 16. A distributed processing unitaccording to claim 15 wherein each said functional device comprises aswitchable connector for selectively connecting the functional device tothe main signal line or to an external computer, whereby the thefunctional device is disconnected from the main signal line whenconnected to the external computer.
 17. A distributed processing unitaccording to claim 16 wherein the switchable connector is switched toconnect with the external computer in response to a control signalreceived by the functional device from the main controller and whereinthe control program provides direct memory write access to the externalcomputer to enable the external computer to rewrite the set data in thefunctional device's read-write memory.
 18. A distributed processing unitaccording to claim 15 wherein the multiple functional devices comprisesa coin-discriminating device, a bill discriminating device, a cardreader-writer device and an article-conveyor device.